June Brown says she's left EastEnders and Dot Cotton for good

The Square won't be the same!

Author: Emma DoddsPublished 21st Feb 2020
Last updated 21st Feb 2020

EastEnders legend June Brown has revealed that she has left the soap FOR GOOD after playing Square stalwart Dot Cotton on and off since 1985. The actress, who is now 93-years-old, announced in a podcast that her recent departure from the soap was a permanent one, after she chose not to renew her contract with the soap.

Speaking on podcast Distinct Nostalgia, June confirmed that as her character has not been featured in an episode since January, that's the end of the show for both Dot and herself.

She said, "I've left for good. I don't want a retainer. I've left. I've left for good. I've sent myself to Ireland and that's where she'll stay. I've left EastEnders."

Dot's last appearance in Walford was a voicemail message that she'd left for Sonia Fowler, revealing that she'd moved to Ireland. An EastEnders spokesperson told Closer that "the door remains open for June, as it always has if the story arises and if June wishes to take part."

Scroll through for all the EastEnders spoilers you need to know for next week...

Following last week's dramatic events that took place on a boat on the Thames, a number of families are still reeling over everything that's happened.

Unfortunately some families will never be the same following the horror that occurred…

Later on in the week while everyone tries to get back to normal, one person's lies begin to unravel in front of their very eyes.

Elsewhere doubts begin to form in more than one person's mind leading someone to desperately try and cover their tracks…


They know that if the truth ever came out the consequences would be utterly devastating…

Meanwhile on the Square, Chantelle is stunned when she hears that Leo King is dead and Whitney has been arrested.

Tiffany Baker's concerns begin to grow following a conversation with Whitney and she rushes to Gray and asks him to defend her sister's case.

Despite being reserved about taking it on, Gray agrees to help. However when the pressure later begins to build, he snaps about his children – leaving Chantelle worried.

During an interview with the police, Whitney grows frustrated and continues to tell them she acted in self-defence.

Gray begins to grow suspicious of Whitney and later asks her if she called anyone – Whitney then lies about calling Mick Carter…

Gray is further left confused when he learns that Whitney got a taxi to the boat party with Kat Moon, Kush Kazemi and Mick…

Over to the Slater household, Jean grows annoyed with a blasé Daniel. Following a visit from the nurse, Jean insists Daniel stay with her when she finds out his hospice is closing.

Daniel is left touched… Later, Jean decides to cheer him up and asks Mo Slater and Kush to help out.


Jean then gives Daniel his surprise and he tells her he's not going to die until he knows she's okay.

The following day it's Jean's oncology appointment and Daniel forces her to go. At the appointment Jean is overwhelmed when her MRI scan comes back clear.

At home, Jean lies to Daniel and tells him she doesn't have the results back but then Mo accidentally lets slip that Jean has been given the all clear.

Later, Jean and Daniel sit in the Square Gardens but when she returns from getting him a drink she's left shocked…

Karen Taylor inspire Keegan Baker with an idea to cheer up Tiff but his plan ends in disaster.

June started on the show in 1985, taking a break in 1993 and returning in 1997. She's won plenty of awards for her role in the soap, taking home Best Actress at the Inside Soap Awards and the Lifetime Achievement award at the British Soap Awards.

In 2009, June became only the second-ever actor to receive a BAFTA nomination for a performance in a soap. The nod was for Best Actress for the 2009 episode 'Pretty Baby....', which saw the entire episode star only June as Dot, leaving messages for her husband Jim Branning who had been taken ill with a stroke - as had the actor who played him, John Bardon.

EastEnders airs on Mondays and Fridays at 8pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One.

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